World hunger and Lent

Seeds04/03/2014

“Into the Wild” explores our journey of faith
in a world filled with hunger, suffering and hope.

ELCA World Hunger has just released several new resources for congregations. Especially exciting is the new Lenten program, “Into the Wild: A Lenten Liturgy and Intergenerational Study on Hunger.” This five-part program follows the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness and explores what it means to live out our baptismal faith in a world filled with hunger, suffering and hope.

Each session is divided into small- and large-group settings and can be adapted to fit your congregation’s educational forums, workshops and mid-week gatherings. The program also includes a conversation guide for families called “40 Days of Wonderings” to use at home during the Lenten season and liturgies for each week.

If you are looking for other Lenten resources, the ELCA Upper Susquehanna (Pennsylvania) Synod’s World Hunger Task Force enlisted the contributions of leaders in their synod to produce a five-week Lenten series called “A Matter of the Heart.”All materials, including sermons, worship resources, Bible studies, family devotions and children's sermons, are available for free download.

ELCA World Hunger has also released “Act 2Day 4Tomorrow,” a lock-in program for youth. This resource brings youth together to learn about the role they can play in eradicating hunger and poverty in the world. As the group takes part in the spiritual practice of fasting during the event, they will go through activities and times of reflection centered on seven faith practices. Each activity is designed for “in the moment” learning and reflection to help youth apply what they discover in their own congregations and communities.

“Food for a Week,” a hunger simulation activity, will give your congregation or youth group a very personal, interactive experience about hunger in the United States that they won’t soon forget. What would you do if you lost your job and ran out of savings, or if you had to make a choice between a doctor’s visit and groceries? Participants in this simulation will encounter realistic issues and make difficult choices as they assume different profiles of people who face food insecurity on a daily basis. The activity is designed for youth and adults and can be used in a variety of settings. Download the resources needed here by clicking on the "Hunger and Education" tab.

All of ELCA World Hunger’s resources are available online. You can also send email to hunger@ELCA.org.

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